We make meatballs that don’t apologize. Got cojones? Try any of these spice recipes .
Trying
Spicy Italian Beef & Pork Meatballs
- Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef, 1 lb ground pork, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup milk, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, 1 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil. (Serve with marinara.)
- Steps: Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix all ingredients (don’t overwork). Form 1¼–1½” meatballs. Brown in a skillet with olive oil 2–3 min per side, then transfer to baking sheet and bake 10–12 min until 160°F. Toss in warmed marinara if desired.
- Notes: Increase red pepper flakes or add 1 tsp cayenne for more heat.
In Little Italy, down the street so narrow,
Mama’s meatballs pack heat like Cupid’s arrow,
Don Corleone would make an offer you can’t refuse,
But these spicy spheres give you much worse blues
Korean-Style Gochujang Beef Meatballs
- Ingredients: 1.5 lb ground beef, 1/2 cup panko, 1 egg, 2 green onions (sliced), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 tbsp ginger (grated), 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp vegetable oil. (Glaze: 2 tbsp gochujang + 1 tbsp honey + 1 tbsp rice vinegar + 1 tsp sesame oil.)
- Steps: Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine all meatball ingredients, form 1” balls. Bake on lined sheet 12–14 min until cooked. Toss with warm glaze or brush glaze and broil 1–2 min. Garnish with sesame seeds and scallions.
- Notes: Sriracha can supplement gochujang for extra heat.
Mexican Chipotle-Lime Turkey Meatballs
- Ingredients: 1.5 lb ground turkey, 3/4 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 small onion (finely chopped), 1–2 chipotle peppers in adobo (minced) + 1 tbsp adobo (adjust heat), zest and juice of 1 lime, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 2 tbsp olive oil.
- Steps: Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix ingredients, form 1–1¼” balls. Brown in skillet 2–3 min per side, finish in oven 10–12 min. Serve with avocado crema or salsa.
- Notes: Remove seeds from chipotle to reduce heat.
- North African Harissa Lamb Meatballs (Spicy)
- Ingredients: 1.5 lb ground lamb, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, 1 egg, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 2 tbsp harissa paste, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, 2 tbsp olive oil. (Serve with yogurt sauce.)
- Steps: Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine ingredients, form 1–1½” balls. Brown in skillet with olive oil 2–3 min per side, transfer to oven 10–12 min. Serve over couscous with yogurt and lemon.
- Notes: Adjust harissa to control heat; mix harissa into yogurt for cooling dip.